Friday, May 30, 2008

Thursday, May 29, 2008

I'm still fairly new at this blogging stuff. I wanted to show my progress second, not first. Oh well, here you have my progress on Sweet Spring. Spring is my all time favourite season. This is stitched on Linen Gingham 28 count over 2 with DMC and Olde Willow overdyed threads. This design also has a specialty stitch, namely the smyrna cross stitch which is the light green inside the border.

A few years ago when DH & I spent a week in Pennsylvania, we went to Hershey. I attended the CATS (Creative arts & textile show) where I had arranged to meet an online stitching friend from Maryland. Her hubby and my hubby went golfing while us girls had a blast at the show. This design by M designs was just one of the few items I bought at the show.

I have a lousy cold with the watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, body aches, fever and chills. I was so cold this afternoon that I put on flannel pj's., warm socks and crawled into bed with 2 blankets and a comforter. I slept for 2 1/2 hours. When I woke up, I couldn't stop coughing. DH went to the pharmacy and came home with Buckley's extra strength daytime and night time capsules as well as Advil for the killer headache I had. When the meds kicked in, my fever broke and I started perspiring to the extent that my hair became soaking wet. I then had a shower and felt a lot better. I just took some Buckley's night time meds and am heading to bed soon. Needless to say, I did not go to work today. I played computer games and also got some stitching done. I stitched on project that I started a few years ago. Saw a picture of it on the net and remembered that I had that design, dug it out and stitched on it for about an hour. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow along with a progress pic of the design I'm working on for Brooke. I might go to work tomorrow, don't have to start until 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

DH & I arrived at DD's house at 8 a.m. and took the almost 3 yr. old and almost 11 mos. old to McDonald's for breakfast. Sierra, the almost 3 yr. old only ate half a hash brown and drank some chocolate milk. Even Brooke, the almost 11 mos. old didn't seem to be hungry. We looked after the girls all morning while DD and SIL went golfing. After breakfast, we took them to the park where Sierra enjoyed riding her tricycle and swinging on the swing. Brooke enjoyed the slide with a little help from DH & I and also loved the swing. When we got back to their house, I put Brooke down for a nap and she slept for over 2 hours. Sierra, DH & I played on the deck. Sierra had a lot of fun with her teddy bear in one stroller and her doll in her sister's umbroller stroller. In the afternoon, while DH, Rob (my SIL) and Sierra enjoyed an afternoon nap, DD & I went shopping with Brooke. She bought Brooke some sandals and a dress for the summer, and 2 summer hats for Sierra. Supper this evening at their house was very entertaining. Both girls were very hungry and Sierra helped her father eat his chicken parmesan. For a while there, I thought serhe was going to eat the whole chicken breast! She loved it. We also had elbow pasta with tomatoe sauce and Brooke fed herself. DD put some pasta on her high chair tray and she was shovelling it in her mouth with both hands. When she finished the first batch she ate another helping and then a third helping. For a tiny baby, she ate a lot and I don't think I've ever seen such a small baby eat as much as she did. She was so funny and when she had finished eating, she was covered in tomatoe sauce from the tips of her fingers to her elbows and all over her face. Just before supper, Sierra and I helped her Mommy with her 3rd birthday pary invitations. Sierra's job was to put stickers on the invitations and the envelopes. DD told her not to put stickers on the written portion of the invitations and she was very good aout putting them where it was not covering up the written portion. Then it was time to put stickers on the envelopes. Sierra would give either myself or my daughter a sticker and then tell us exactly where it had to go on the envelope. Talk about a drill sargeant! DD thinks she will probably grow up to be a teacher. All in all, we had a great day with the little ones today and can't wait to look after them again soon while DD and hubby get a much needed break and can focus on each other and enjoy a meal or two for just the two of them.

I stitched this for my granddaughter Sierra in 2005. I want to get this framed and will give it to her on her 3rd birthday which is on June 8. Stitched on light blue 28 ct. Jobelan over 2. The name of this design is Brighter World and is from Forever in my Heart.

I stitched this for myself. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am unique and rarely follow the crowd or a fad. I was a bit of a rebel in my younger years. This is stitched on 28 ct. light green jobelan over 2. It is by Raise the Roof designs.

This is a Lizzie Kate design that I stitched 2 years ago while on a week's holiday. DH & I own a timeshare condo and we exchange every year and spend a week at a condo. This year we will be going to Northern Michigan. This was a very quick stitch. Stitched on 28 count light tan Jobelan evenweave over 2.

to I'd rather be sleeping! I got a good night's sleep last night but I am so sleepy and tired that I am going to have a nap. I will need to start laundry later and finish it in the morning. In the afternoon I promised my sister-in-law Claire that I would meet her at the hospital so I can visit my brother.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

DH worked from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. so I drove to Milton to spend some time with my DD and my granddaughters. I don't know who was the happiest to see me - their dog, Molly or my grandchildren. DD was a single parent this week as her hubby was in Ireland on business. I have a feeling she was quite happy to have another adult to talk to today. We went to the Golden Arches for brekkie and let Sierra who is almost 3, play in their playland. There were other children in there as well. One little boy was quite interested in 10 month old Brooke. He looked so much like Brooke that he could have passed for her older brother. I think he was 4 years old and a real cutie. We then went to the mall and looked at bikes. I think DH & I will be buying Sierra a bike with training wheels for her 3rd birthday next month. She sat on the smallest size they had at Zellers and was able to reach the pedals quite easily. It comes in her favourite colour which is purple. I bought Sierra a Disney princess bouncy ball that she loves and we played with it after we came back to their house from the mall.After lunch, I took Brooke upstairs and sat in the rocking chair with her, sang to her, and she fell asleep and slept for 2 hours. This is the 1st time since she was a baby that she would fall asleep for anyone other than her mother. It made me feel good knowing that she is comfortable enough with me to fall asleep as easily as she did. It made my daughter feel good too, knowing she can now go out and not have to worry if Brooke will fall asleep for me. I think she is already planning a night out with her DH when I can come over to baby sit.In the afternoon, DH came over and we all sat outside on the deck. It was warm enough back there to take off our sweaters. Sierra had a blast picking dandelions. My SIL arrived home and Sierra was overjoyed to see him as was Brooke. After dinner, Sierra fell asleep and my SIL was very tired from his long trip so DH and I came home. All in all it was a very good day and we did not get as much rain as they were calling for.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Made with genuine swarovski crystal bicone and cube beads and 3 mm silver beads. I have sold a few of the bracelets and have donated a proceed to the Canadian Cancer Society for Breast Cancer research. My MIL died of breast cancer in 2002.

This necklace was made with pink and butterscotch glass pearls along with silver plated square and round spacers. I also added the swarovski crystal pendant to give it a bit of pizazz. This is a short necklace and can be worn with a scoop or v neck top. I am very pleased with how this necklace turned out and received many compliments from people at work the 1st time I wore it.I got the inspiration for this necklace from an online bead store that has lots of ideas. The necklace on the website did not have the swarovski pendant. The name of this necklace is Dawn's Early Light. Please contact me if you would like to order one. The cost is $35.00 CAD.

The same website mentioned above also had this idea. I added the swarovski heart pendant just to make the necklace a little more interesting. Just as the necklace pictured above, this necklace is short and can be worn with a scoop or v-neck top. It is made with freshwater pearls, swarovski crystal beads and 2 mm silver beads. I have also received compliments from my coworkers when I've worn it to work. I am seriously thinking of making a matching bracelet. This necklace was more expensive because of all the swarovski crystal beads but well worth it IMHO. Please contact me if you would like to order one. The cost is $50.00 CAD.

Here is a close up of the necklace pictured above.

I love, love this necklace. It is made with genuine carnelian gemstone beads in 2 sizes along with silver bead caps and silver celtic design rectangular beads. Again, I got the idea from an online bead store but again, added my own personal touch with the swarovski flower pendant. This necklace was expensive to make and if I was to make another one for someone I would have to charge at least $50 - 75.00 as the carnelian gemstone beads and the rectangular beads are not cheap. I could make this necklace as short or as long as you would like it to be. I will be making a matching bracelet as well. I would charge $35.00 for the bracelet. The 1st time I wore this necklace to work, one of the ladies who works at the Tim Horton's store in our building went absolutely nuts and wanted me to make her one - that is, until I told her how much I would need to charge her. She knows well made and good jewellery when she sees it but I guess my price was a bit too much for her. She admires a lot of my necklaces and bracelets and is always asking if I am working on any new designs. Here is a close up of the carnelian necklace. This necklace looks stunning on a beige or white top.Here is the full version of Dawn's Early Light.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there. DH knows how much I love tulips and came home with this lovely bunch for me for Mother's Day. I love the colour he chose for me. Maroon is one of my favourite colours along with blue. Thanks sweetie!

Friday, May 9, 2008

This is the pattern I am stitching for my granddaughter Brooke. San-Man Originals "Bright and Beautiful"

This is my progress so far. Stitched on Sassy Fabby's lilac lugana 32 ct. evenweave over 2 with DMC and Weeks Dye Works overdyed thread. I love the overdyed threads and like the way this is turning out. I will not be stitching all the small bees, instead I will stitch a few and also add some small bee charms.

I love reading Dutch Cross stitch blogs and since I don't read or write or for that matter, even understand Dutch all that well any more, I've been using this site to do the translations for me. I just copy and paste and have it translated into English. When I've left comments, I use the translator and then copy and paste the comments in Dutch.

Oh how I wish I was in Keukenhof again! This is by far the most beautiful flower park in the world. I've been to Butchart Gardens near Victoria BC but Keukenhof is so much more beautiful. At least that is my opinion. We were lucky enough to visit Keukenhof in 1986 and we were also lucky that Holland had a late spring that year. All the flowers were in full bloom and I really wish I had had a better camera with me. If I ever win the lottery, one of the 1st places I want to visit would be Keukenhof and then I would want to go to Switzerland and Austria to see the beautiful mountains.Keukenhof is near Amsterdam and is only open a few weeks a year and this year they will be open: 2008 open from 20 March to 18 May (including Sundays and public holidays.

If you are ever in the Netherlands in the spring, Keukenhof should be on your itinerary. I promise you won't regret it. Here is the link to their homepage. Make sure to watch the slideshow as it shows just how beautiful this park really is. Oh, and if you do go, take your camera and wear a good pair of walking shoes!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

When I was at my DD's house about 2 weeks ago, we got to talking about cross stitch. She said her friends who stitch do not have any framed pieces hanging in their houses. I only have 1 and have a lot of UFO's that I would like to complete and eventually frame. I made a Hinzeit charmed golf for her hubby cuz he likes golfing. I even bought the frame for it and had it framed. The frame was not cheap. I don't think it is hanging up in their house. I was left with the impression that she thought that cross stitch was a waste of time as no one bothers getting them framed anyway. I told her that a lot of people stitch small designs and make ornaments or pin keeps or pin cushions (biscornus) and others stitch small designs and make greeting cards.

I have finished a design for Sierra, her daughter and still need to get it framed. I have a picture of it, but as I took it with a cheap digital camera, the picture is terrible. I am currently working on one for Brooke her other daughter as well. I want to give the stitch pieces to them and am hoping that the girls will want to display them in their rooms. I feel sad that my stitched pieces may not be appreciated. I hope my daughter will have a change of heart and will display them in their rooms.

I will get both out and post a picture sometime this weekend. My camera's batteries need to be charged up.

Stitched for an exchange - stitched on tan 28 count jobelan evenweave over 2. I changed some of the colours to match the pillow tuck that an online stitching friend sent to me. After this photo was taken I stitched the design to the tuck so it wasn't wrinkly when I mailed it out.

Hinzeit's Charmed Baseball - done for my hubby who is a sports fanatic but baseball is his favourite sport. Just need to get this framed. Stitched on light blue evenweave lugana over 2. I want to get a light wood colour frame for it as I have some baseball plastic charms that I would like to glue to the frame.

Monday, May 5, 2008

This is the tablecloth I am still working on. This is counted cross stitch but as the holes are big, I am doing it with 4 strands of floss. This is the 1st corner, completed. I have almost completed a 2nd corner. I am hoping to finish this UFO before the end of this year. I plan to work on it when I am on vacation for a week next month. Hubby is working for 3 days that week, so I should be able to get a lot more done then.

Friday, May 2, 2008

1. Where were you 10 years ago?2. Where will you be 10 years from now?3. How were you like at 10 years old?4. What woman do you consider a 10?5. What man do you consider a 10?

1. Living in the house I am living in now and working for a friend's Lawn Care business as an Office Manager.2. Retired and living near my grandchildren.3. Happy, not a care in the world, loved playing outside and going for bike rides. 4. Sally Field cuz she's a great actress (Norma Rae)5. George Clooney and Mel Gibson - couldn't pick just one.

About Me

Born in The Netherlands, emigrated to Canada at the age of 6 with my parents; 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I am 67, married to my best friend (Herb aka Opa)for 44 years, oma (grandma) to Sierra and Brooke and Amber who give me a lot of joy. Mother to Janice & Mike and MIL to Rob & Colette.
I enjoy making beaded jewellery, counted cross stitch embroidery, knitting and paper crafts. I enjoy making things with my hands but am not very creative and get a lot of inspiration from the internet.